as in error
a false idea or belief
the belief that going outside with wet hair will cause you to catch cold is just an old wives' tale
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Recent Examples of old wives' tale
Some commenters pointed out that an old wives' tale dictates that a bride finding a spider in her wedding dress will bring her good luck, prosperity and protection.
—
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Warm milk The long-standing tradition of drinking a glass of warm milk before bed isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 26 Nov. 2025
Ольга Симонова/iStock / Getty Images Plus Coffee in the garden isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
For the 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines, finding effective relief can be a constant struggle – leading many to test out old wives' tales.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
There are many myths, misconceptions and old wives' tales floating around regarding Arizona's high temperatures and blistering summer heat.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 May 2025
According to a popular old wives' tale, going to bed with wet hair can lead to catching a nasty cold.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
An old wives' tale says heartburn during pregnancy means your unborn baby has a full head of hair, but many parents with bald babies would strongly disagree.
—Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024
The idea that breast milk is a cure-all might seem like an old wives' tale, but there's scientific research behind the results Williams is seeing: fresh breast milk has been proven to help with atopic eczema, diaper rash, and a collection of other maladies.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023
Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Warm milk The long-standing tradition of drinking a glass of warm milk before bed isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 26 Nov. 2025
Ольга Симонова/iStock / Getty Images Plus Coffee in the garden isn't just an old wives' tale.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
For the 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines, finding effective relief can be a constant struggle – leading many to test out old wives' tales.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
There are many myths, misconceptions and old wives' tales floating around regarding Arizona's high temperatures and blistering summer heat.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 19 May 2025
According to a popular old wives' tale, going to bed with wet hair can lead to catching a nasty cold.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
An old wives' tale says heartburn during pregnancy means your unborn baby has a full head of hair, but many parents with bald babies would strongly disagree.
—Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024
The idea that breast milk is a cure-all might seem like an old wives' tale, but there's scientific research behind the results Williams is seeing: fresh breast milk has been proven to help with atopic eczema, diaper rash, and a collection of other maladies.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old wives' tale
Noun
-
Wait times are based on data reported by users and are not exact or error-free.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But the Barons got the final out on a base running error by the Sea Kings.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Later, settle in for a pint at Teach Ósta, the lone pub, where conversations drift easily from myth to weather to memory.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Just like ancient legends and myths, names have power.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These were people, who, in Yusuf’s words, couldn’t tell the difference between hope and delusion.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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Neglecting himself to worship a projection, Narcissus isn’t so much struck down by the gods as he is lost to hopeless delusion.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But then, over the course of several viewings, new recognitions dawned—on the social contract, illusions of class, and the artist’s deft use of color in this gorgeous study of red, white, and blue.—
Laura Brown,
Artforum,
25 Mar. 2026
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One abruptly gains social permission to behave just as mercifully—to go without the same illusion—to oneself.—
Caleb Crain,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tale. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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